It was Scotland’s 13th consecutive defeat to the Wallabies over 22 years but arguably the best performance since Williams took charge after the World Cup.

“I’m very disappointed for the boys because we should have scored there and 29-20 was a fair reflection,” said Williams.

“I am very disappointed with that final scoreline. I believe we played better than that, it doesn’t reflect the difference between the sides.

“We generally defended very well but missed some absolutely crucial tackles in our 22.

“We made lots and lots of line breaks. I thought our gameplan was good, I thought our guys executed it with great passion and precision and when we got to within five metres of the Wallabies tryline we made some basic errors, a bit of white-line fever.”

Williams was delighted with the manner in which Scotland’s Test side had stepped up on tour.

“Our players have come on leaps and bounds. That is a very good Australian side. The last time out there they came second in the world,” he said.

“They played very good rugby today, good rugby with the ball in hand, good rugby in defence against an extremely talented side who have been together as a unit for a number of years.”

Despite Williams’ positive words, Scotland were beaten by five tries to one, with scrum-half Chris Cusiter the only one to touch down in either of the two Tests.

Lote Tuqiri, who scored twice in the Wallabies’ 35-15 victory in Melbourne last Sunday, repeated his effort today and was backed up by scores from Wendell Sailor, Morgan Turinui and Roff in the dying seconds.

“The big lesson learnt as a team, through experience, is when we get to the 22 is to be composed and prepared to stay there,” said forwards coach Todd Blackadder.

“That is the biggest lesson learnt this year. We get down to the green zone and turn it over and spend lots of time defending. You can’t win Test matches like that.

“We need to show more confidence, confidence and composure, to put pressure on the opponent until we score points.

“We probably forced it a little bit. Through all this pain we will learn some pretty quick lessons.”

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones was impressed by Scotland’s work at the breakdown, both in contesting the ball and attacking from the fringes.

“Scotland played well, defended very well and attacked the breakdown extremely well,” said Jones.

“They made a few breaks in the centre. They are very clever in the way they work inside your first defender in the ruck and they did that quite well.”

Jones was happy enough with Australia’s performance and is looking forward to taking on England, the old enemy, next weekend in Brisbane.

“It was a much better effort, five tries to one is a reasonable effort,” he said.

“It was difficult for us tonight because we lost Matt Giteau (to illness) just before kick-off.

“I thought some of our tactical kicking tonight was better. We certainly need to tighten up our ruck defence. Our running lines in the backs were just not as precise as we want.

“But if we sat back at the start of the season and said we’d beat Scotland by nine tries to one I think we’d be pretty happy.”

Wallabies skipper George Gregan is looking forward to locking horns with the English again, but is aware that improvements need to be made.

“It has been good for us to get out of Super 12 and go into Test footy. The contest at the breakdown area was identified last week as an area we need to improve and we need to improve again going into Brisbane,” he said.

“Maintaining that intensity of execution for the duration, that’s the next stage.

“It’s a game you want to play well in, regardless of what they did in New Zealand, it’s always a match you want to play.”